Thai people LOVE children. In fact, just that statement feels like an understatement. You have to experience it to see how intense their love for children is. For example, Brian and I will be walking with the kids, and Thai people will walk right up to Blaze with big smiles. They’ll squat down to Blaze’s height, ruffle his hair, ask him what his name is, ask him how he’s doing, give him a high five, and then say goodbye, NEVER making eye contact with us. This happens wherever we go. Brian and I can’t help but wonder what kind of impression this has made on the kids.
Blaze has grown so much here. When I think about how he cried at breakfast b/c of the flies that first day–to how he now volunteers to do “Monkey Watch” in the morning…I think he has become a new boy. He orders his own meal, speaks simple Thai phrases to the locals, wears his Thai fisherman pants everywhere,
and walks with his head held high.
The other day he said the most powerful statement. The four of us were all sitting on the beach during sunset. In casual conversation, Brian and I brought up the topic of going home and asked the kids how they were feeling about it.
Blaze said, “I’m scared to go back to America because I feel invisible there. In Thailand, everyone sees me. They all want to talk to me and get to know me. But in America, I feel like adults want to talk to adults–unless, they are your family. Will I feel invisible again when we go home?”
Brian and I were speechless. The fact that our four year old was able to articulate his feelings so clear…what do you say?
I must admit…when I see a friend, I might only say hi to their kids and ask the kids how they’re doing. But I don’t always engage in a full conversation with them, squat to their level and make sure the kids know I see them.
What would it be like to take this home?
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What a wise little boy he is! I am glad they have had such a wonderful and educational trip.
Love that picture, he’s like a little mowgli jungle boy!
What an amazing statement! Blaze you are soo smart! I’m definetly going to have to think about this and start taking steps to make the kids around me seem less invisible!
Wow! your 4 year old has the mind of a 40 year old. amazing! Its so sad that this trip is coming to an end… i feel like i have been there just through the pictures and the blog.
p.s. i love the little fisherman pants!
Oh my goodness! This brought tears to my eyes. It makes me wonder how many children feel this way? And then that brings even more tears. What a little sage your Blaze is! He will make a difference in this world. He already has.
WOW! What a powerful statement…
Especially for such a little boy!
Wow! What an amazing thought process! And how sad that’s how America is…because he’s so right!! Hopefully that will change the way I treat others kids. Thanks Blaze. =)
great point blaze! but listen…i don’t think being invisible will be your fate. hang on…you will still have your new confidence in america too.
Amazing. Thank you Blaze, for opening my eyes.
Wow..that is some little guy you have there. What an amazing observation and something to think about. I too though of mowgli when I saw that photo.
wow wow wow.. blaze… that brought back a wave of emotions…. me ra and brian, you must be so proud of your boy! Beautiful photo.. what a little man he’s become. I am going to do something like this for my kids.. I don’t when or how, but I’m going to give them an experience like this one day.
What a smart little boy! It seems these experiences in Thailand will remain with all of you. Great photo. He looks fierce and strong, even though we can’t see the expression on his face.
ahha! wow, out of all the blogs i’ve read- i love this one SO much. 🙂 i love the pic and i love those pants. LOL 🙂 hope u guys continue to have a blast!
SO POWERFUL! What a wise little man! Thank you for the reminder to love, hug, see, interact and truelly care for those around us. (No matter what age.) Kids can be so refreshing, honest and pure in heart if we only take time to listen, there is much to learn! “Out of the mouths of Babes”…Thank you, Blaze! and Thank you MeRa and Brian for raising children that have so much goodness to offer this world. The apple does not fall far from the tree!
This made me cry. What a sweet little boy you have!
I am going to make an effort to acknowledge the little ones in my life a little more. I want them to feel special no matter how big or small they are!
Thank you for sharing!
Wow, what a great insight, and a smart boy you have!!
That was the most insightful, innocent, heartbreaking and beautiful thing I’ve read in a long time. I’m in a strategy meeting at work, read this (bored from the talk), and burst out in tears (fortunately, I didn’t cry audibly). Wow! Wow
Beautifully done Blaze! Happiness is being able to express your feelings, share your thoughts, and be heard. You expressed yourself VERY WELL and TONS of people heard you! Does that feel good or WHAT?!
That was powerful. Thank you, Blaze, for sharing insight into how other kids probably feel.
I usually talk to the kids as I speak with their parents, but now, I will be sure to be more cautious of HOW I respond to them to make sure they don’t feel invisible.
Now…those pants look comfy. Where can I get a pair? =)
On Blaze’s statement alone, he has proven to be such a mature little boy. To hear a little child say that he feels invisible is so heartwrenching and sad. How has our culture become this? And where do we go from here?
And that photo…. Oh that photo. Absolutely STUNNING!!!!!
That picture of Blaze is one of my favorites from Thailand so far. Top 5. Beautiful. Also, I might need some of those pants for myself!
I am struck by Blaze’s articulate concerns… and recognize the culprit in me. How convicting!
Such a sage young boy. It is amazing to me that North American society seems to continually close in upon itself with all the technology, while the rest of the world continues to live and grow and connect with the people around them.
Thank you for bringing us back to reality, Blaze.
So looking forward to hearing your stories when you are back, MeRa & Brian!
From the mouth of babes…
It made me pause as I read what he said… thinking of our 5 five year old… the middle child. I wonder if she feels this way… I would venture to say, yes.
Hmmm…. something to ponder.
Thanks for taking the time to share…
Oh, how I agree with Blaze. I have often thought what a child and family UNFRIENDLY place America is: the dirty looks that a crying baby gets in public, the low wages of teachers, how kids get plopped in front of the TV so adults can do whatever, I could go on and on. But to hear it from the mouth and mind of a 4 year old is actually pretty heart-breaking. It makes me want to scoop up every kid I know and hug them. Sigh.
Simply Amazing on so many levels. I am speechless….amazing how children can open your eyes isn’t it!
What a gorgeous, rich, pensive photo — and how incredible that sweet Blaze spouts the perfect wisdom to accompany it!
I’ve enjoyed reading your incredible travel tales. What a fantastic experience for your family. I’m sure it will be a tough adjustment to come home!
What a profound statement from someone so young. Thank you for sharing.
What a profound statement. He’s quite the young man.
Oh, Me Ra, this is so important and true. I feel like the world would run differently if we all cherished children this way. I have a very distinct memory of the times my aunt called on the phone and talked with me when I picked up instead of asking immediately for my mom. I have to make a point of speaking directly to children when adults overpower the in ever aspect of life, and I hope it makes a difference. How amazing that Blaze was able to put his finger on this and express it with such ease. I can’t imagine with a spirit like that he could disappear anywhere :O)
Great child, great photo.
Tell him his statement made a big impact on me and I passed it on to my school counselor mom. This adult is trying to come down to his eye level with my kids and their friends. Great reminder. Thanks
Wow! So amazing for a 4 year old. We as adults often can not articulate ourselves that way.
Ok that brought a little tear to my eye. How did you and Brian answer such a question??
When my nephew was 4 he said to me “Auntie, you don’t listen to me. You don’t *hear” me”. Broke my heart!
Me Ra,
I can’t believe the wisdom coming out of your 4-year old! So astute and profound. It has always been an unconscious action on my part when I go down to eye level with children when chatting with them but to hear it like that encourages me and hope that this unconscious action (well, conscious now..LOL) on my part has somewhat of a positive impact on the children I meet.
I’d like to give a different perspective on the issue of feeling invisible. My wife and I live in Japan and we have a 3 year old and a one year old. We’ve also been in Thailand and so we understand firsthand the attention that your kids receive. In Japan, our children are, should I say, mini-celebrities. I can’t count the number of times we have been out in public when complete strangers come up and try to strike a conversation with our kids. We even get chuckles when some of these strangers pose and take pictures with our kids….ha ha ha! Most of the time it’s not a big deal for us. The Japanese are friendly, love kids, and drawn to Western children. But there are times when our family just want to be “left alone”. We just want to blend in without calling attention to ourselves. Our 3 year old gets so smothered sometimes that she runs into my arms, wanting to be protected from these friendly “strangers”. So, when we go home to the States for the occasional visit, our family welcome the positive aspect of feeling invisible.
This is a very insightful post. Thanks for sharing about the “Thai way” of interacting with kids.
Your words really made me think about the way that I talk to kids – Do I talk ABOUT them (“Oh, his haircut is cute!”) or do I talk TO them? Do I get down at their eye level or do I ignore them?
Thanks for the reminder that “kids are people” too. I want to be better about valuing and acknowledging children wherever I go.
Wow — thank you…. Great reminder for our children!
ohhhh…. When Madyline was 3 years old I took her to live in Thailand too. it was the best time of our lives. I remember so vividly what a contrast it was for her come back to America…. how hard it was for ME to come back! It’s been 4 years, and even now when she gets upset, she’ll cry and tell me how she wants to go back to Thailand. “That’s where I belong”, she says…. it’s so true. I can’t wait to take her back there someday.
🙂
Melanie